VIDEO: William Shatner On The “Truth” of Storytelling

Whether he’s acting, writing books, doing one-man shows, directing, or even embarking on a successful music collaboration (his 2004 album Has Been with Ben Foldsis a standout), William Shatnercontinues to explore the diverse realms of storytelling. Starting this summer, Shatner will serve as the narrator on a new version of Clangers, BBC’s popular stop animation show from the 1960s.

Mr. Shatner was on hand to promote Clangers at the NBC/Universal Summer Press Day, which was held earlier this month at The Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa in Pasadena, Ca. During the interview, I asked him if his approach to storytelling has changed over the years:

“I think everybody from 2 years old to 102 recognizes the truth in what you’re saying. If there’s a validity to what you’re saying – if you’ve acquired whatever the writer has written as a truth. If you understand the validity of what he (or she) has written, that communicates itself in the same way that talking to a child of three – they understand that truth.”

The video version of Shatner’s complete answer is below (note – I’m just glad he described my dwindling, middle-aged self as a “young man”):